Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

  1. #1
    Everybody's a jerk! You, me..........this jerk.
    Parcher's Avatar
    Join Date

    Jan 2006
    Location

    DuPont Circle
    Posts

    1,520

    Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    C/P from Reddit. Curio Cavern has become the hub of action for the NoVA Legacy crew. Regular referred to is Kemper Pogue. Tom Chilimi at C&G gets credit for immediately seeing the stolen cards for what they are, and contacting Gearhart at Curio, betting this was a collection of a Legacy faithful. While it was only a portion of the Pogue's cards, it was probably retail north of $7K. Gearhart and Tom at Curio basically contacted every local store, contacted the theives, and set up the sting with the cops.

    Owner of Curio Cavern here. I'll try to explain this as best I can.

    A few days ago, word got to us that one of our regulars had his collection stolen from his vehicle, and a sizable collection at that. Word was spread pretty quickly and efficiently, and it spread to here as well, it seems!

    Yesterday evening (Wednesday, 6/3/15) information circulated to one of Curio's employees via Fairfax Comics & Gaming that some sketchy folk(s) tried to sell a portion of a large collection there. Fairfax Comics & Gaming gave us what descriptions they were able to ascertain before telling the assumed thieves that they wouldn't be interested/able to purchase the collection at that time. We discerned that it was highly likely that this was indeed the stolen collection belonging to one of our customers. Fairfax Comics & Gaming was able to get a cell number from them, and passed that along to us, and it was decided that Curio should handle it from there because it involved one of our regulars.

    We contacted the suspect and said we would be willing to take a look at the collection and make an offer, and arranged a meeting Thursday (6/4/15) night between 8 and 9pm. They agreed. We also contacted our local police department to start trying to set up a way to catch the suspect(s).

    Fastforward to Thursday (6/4/15). We open at 1pm and pretty close to then the suspect randomly shows up with a friend (we still don't know who the random friend here is but he was very unassuming, possibly just a ride), and a portion of the collection. Our employee looks through it, is able to silently ascertain that it is indeed the stolen collection (based on several unique aspects), makes a high-ball offer on the cards brought in (we don't want to deter them and have the thief try to sell it elsewhere), and then the thief proceeds to mention he has more, so long story short we arrange for him to come in later in the evening around 8-9pm (like originally discussed) with the rest and we'll be prepared to make him a full offer for all of it.

    Meanwhile we increase communication with the local police and arrange for them to come in and catch the suspect(s). A detective comes by in casual-wear to see if we can identify some potential suspects that have outstanding warrants. It's a bit of a grey area, but the detective is able to assume that one of the suspects (we still don't know yet if there are multiple suspects or just one guy and friends he's bringing along for rides or something) is probably the thief, and this guy has priors, including armed robbery.

    So the detective and I come up with a plan to play it as safe as we can. The detective calls the suspect from the number we have for him, pretending he's me (the owner) on the phone, and tries to arrange a more exact time, making it sound like he has a lot of errands and will only be at Curio for a short while. I suggest he mention telling the suspect over the phone that we can do more in store credit than in cash for the collection to increase the legitimacy of the conversation, and the suspect buys it pretty easily. The detective sets up a meet time for 8pm.

    At 7:30pm, undercover police start showing up. Two situate themselves inside Curio just in case, while the rest get ready in the parking lot. We have several customers inside at this point, playing in a Thursday night Modern tournament, and I pause the round clock to make an announcement about everything that is going on. I lock the door, put a sign on it that says "back in 5 minutes! :-)", and explain to everyone that I'm going to keep the front door locked so that we can have a greatly reduced risk of anything ...risky taking place. I let everyone know that they are free to leave if they want (I'll unlock the door for them and lock it again afterwards), and everyone decides to stay- it's pretty clear they want to see this go down too, and I don't blame them; the Magic community has been needing some thieves-getting-caught examples to counter (pun intended) the plethora of miserable theft that goes on still.

    Fast forward about twenty minutes. The thieves show up. They try the door; it's locked- they look at the sign and pause. I'm standing near the door, and there's obviously a bunch of people inside (pretty clear vision from the front), and all I can really do is look at them and hold my hand up with all five fingers gestured, telling them it will be five minutes for some unexplained reason. Thankfully they buy it and have a seat on one of our benches outside. And they're holding multiple boxes of magic cards. The cops are all in rapid communication at this point but they're waiting for the undercover squad cars to come around the corner, which takes a minute that feels like forever. Thankfully the suspects stay put, and in a swirl of motion they are confronted with almost a dozen police officers and a k-9 unit, told to put their hands on their heads, etc. They comply and are efficiently escorted into separate police vehicles and taken down to the station.

    Meanwhile their vehicle is searched and within is discovered what is likely the rest of the stolen magic collection along with a bunch of cell phones and jewelry, almost certainly also stolen. Down at the station, the suspects spin different stories. The main suspect is indeed the guy with priors, and he is jailed to be handled by Prince William county, with whom he has outstanding warrants. The other guy turns out to just be a dude he knew with an ID that is young and has no criminal record, because he was going to need an ID to be able to receive cash for the cards (state pawn laws) and didn't have one himself, because obvious reasons.

    So from what we can tell, most if not all of the collection is recovered, though currently in evidence, as well as several other stolen items from other individuals, who will hopefully find their welcomed return as well. The main suspect was arrested, is currently in jail, and awaits trial.

    Score one for the good guys.


    EDIT: Video of arrest: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4726...7293435306791/
    Last edited by Parcher; 06-05-2015 at 09:27 AM.
    Quote Originally Posted by MacGruber View Post
    Look, I will suck your dick. I will suck your fucking dick. I will do it, just join my team. I’ll suck your dick. You can fuck me or get fucked by me. You can watch me fuck something. Just point at something, I’ll fuck it for you. Just tell me what you want me to fuck!
    ~ Team Unicorn Motto

  2. #2
    Site Contributor
    Quasim0ff's Avatar
    Join Date

    Apr 2013
    Posts

    1,433

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    That sounds AWESOME!

    (Y)

  3. #3
    Member

    Join Date

    Jun 2011
    Location

    n/a
    Posts

    168

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    So did Dan the vegan eat any of them?

    on another note is great that James and Kemper will get there cards back

  4. #4
    Everybody's a jerk! You, me..........this jerk.
    Parcher's Avatar
    Join Date

    Jan 2006
    Location

    DuPont Circle
    Posts

    1,520
    Quote Originally Posted by MacGruber View Post
    Look, I will suck your dick. I will suck your fucking dick. I will do it, just join my team. I’ll suck your dick. You can fuck me or get fucked by me. You can watch me fuck something. Just point at something, I’ll fuck it for you. Just tell me what you want me to fuck!
    ~ Team Unicorn Motto

  5. #5
    plays Mountains
    Ace/Homebrew's Avatar
    Join Date

    Mar 2011
    Location

    Philadelphia Area
    Posts

    2,257

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Holley of the Washington Post
    After filing a police report, Pogue decided to do what a Magic character like Garruk Relentless might do, and hunted down his enemies with dogged ferocity — sans the battle axe.







    Glad it all worked out!

  6. #6

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    This is one of the best stories I have ever heard. Guy is lucky to get (the majority of) his cards back! I hope this gets circulated and hopefully deters some people from making poor decisions.

    Great work!
    "I made a Redguard that looks like Kimbo Slice. He wrecks peoples' shit. And dragons." - Bignasty197

  7. #7
    Force of Will is my bitch
    Finn's Avatar
    Join Date

    Sep 2004
    Location

    South Florida
    Posts

    2,979

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    It is a good tale with a very happy ending. Thanks for this, Parcher. I remember the fucks that murdered a guy for his much larger collection a few years ago.

    It's funny to read about cops surrounding the guys. I can tell you from two personal experiences that cops get such a hard-on for sting operations even on peons such as this guy. It's only human, I suppose. A residue from testosterone or some such. But they probably would have brought a tank if they had one.
    "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job."
    "Politicians are like diapers. They should be changed often and for the same reason."
    "Governing is too important to be left to people as silly as politicians."
    "Politicians were mostly people who'd had too little morals and ethics to stay lawyers."

  8. #8

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Nice story. But did they have to go with "Revenge of the Nerds" for the title of the article?

  9. #9
    Everybody's a jerk! You, me..........this jerk.
    Parcher's Avatar
    Join Date

    Jan 2006
    Location

    DuPont Circle
    Posts

    1,520

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Quote Originally Posted by Finn View Post
    It is a good tale with a very happy ending. Thanks for this, Parcher. I remember the fucks that murdered a guy for his much larger collection a few years ago.

    It's funny to read about cops surrounding the guys. I can tell you from two personal experiences that cops get such a hard-on for sting operations even on peons such as this guy. It's only human, I suppose. A residue from testosterone or some such. But they probably would have brought a tank if they had one.
    Here's my take-away from this. There are some negative inferences towards the MtG community in the article. But far more positive ones. I'm fine with that. On the other hand, more people have expressed concern that there will be an increase in dilettantes attempting to rob cards due to the information in this article. That might be true. I doubt it will be a problem for two reasons. One; anyone able to successfully plan a theft of an expensive collection, AND be able to process and move it, AND not get caught, wouldn't spend the time needed to do so. The risk/reward/work ratio just isn't there.

    As to the more valid concern that it will realistically be more idiots snatching bags due to the exposure, I have this to say.

    1. Cops love easy arrests.
    2. Cops really love easy arrests leading to felony convictions.
    3. Cops REALLY love easy felony arrests that lead to good press for the department. Thats what gets you promoted.

    If everyone does their best to catalogue, and if possible, individuate their collection, it probably won't lead to less theft. But this is a great precident for the police to take these thefts more seriously. When they are aware that there's that much value involved, and that theres a clubhouse of fanatically obsessed basement-dwellers ready to do the legwork for them, they will do far more to helo us out. In this case, Fairfax County got a Felony for attempt to sell stolen goods over $5,000, and Prince William got the Felony Burglary. Both on the same guy. Both in the paper. This is big time motivation for the cops.
    Quote Originally Posted by MacGruber View Post
    Look, I will suck your dick. I will suck your fucking dick. I will do it, just join my team. I’ll suck your dick. You can fuck me or get fucked by me. You can watch me fuck something. Just point at something, I’ll fuck it for you. Just tell me what you want me to fuck!
    ~ Team Unicorn Motto

  10. #10

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    This is great! What a story, man. Happy endings are awesome ^_^
    "We are goblinkind, heirs to the mountain empires of chieftains past. Rest is death to us, and arson is our call to war."

  11. #11
    Everybody's a jerk! You, me..........this jerk.
    Parcher's Avatar
    Join Date

    Jan 2006
    Location

    DuPont Circle
    Posts

    1,520

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Update: Arraginment was held today. Kemper and prosecutor agreed to allow the moron to plea to a misdemeanor. Defense decided to go to trial, claiming that it would be a misdemeanor at best anyway since the defendant had no idea the value of the cards was in the realm of a felony. After three different store owners already gave affadavits stating that they told him the value as he shopped the cards around the VA area. Trial date is set for February.

    Sucks that all these people have to be bothered into a trial now. But good luck, buddy.
    Quote Originally Posted by MacGruber View Post
    Look, I will suck your dick. I will suck your fucking dick. I will do it, just join my team. I’ll suck your dick. You can fuck me or get fucked by me. You can watch me fuck something. Just point at something, I’ll fuck it for you. Just tell me what you want me to fuck!
    ~ Team Unicorn Motto

  12. #12

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Quote Originally Posted by Parcher View Post
    Update: Arraginment was held today. Kemper and prosecutor agreed to allow the moron to plea to a misdemeanor. Defense decided to go to trial, claiming that it would be a misdemeanor at best anyway since the defendant had no idea the value of the cards was in the realm of a felony. After three different store owners already gave affadavits stating that they told him the value as he shopped the cards around the VA area. Trial date is set for February.

    Sucks that all these people have to be bothered into a trial now. But good luck, buddy.
    Thanks for the update. I'm really curious to hear how this resolves.
    Quote Originally Posted by Mister Full-House View Post
    MTG is a game 13+ (btw in cinematograph rating PG-13 allows nudity), while forum is open to anyone, and children under this age can see your picture and wonder how tezzeret is assosiated with anus and what is sexual t-rex means. Who knows where this path would take them? Are you responsible for their actions under the impression of your profile? I think no. You should be assamed.

  13. #13

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Quote Originally Posted by Parcher View Post
    Update: Arraginment was held today. Kemper and prosecutor agreed to allow the moron to plea to a misdemeanor. Defense decided to go to trial, claiming that it would be a misdemeanor at best anyway since the defendant had no idea the value of the cards was in the realm of a felony. After three different store owners already gave affadavits stating that they told him the value as he shopped the cards around the VA area. Trial date is set for February.

    Sucks that all these people have to be bothered into a trial now. But good luck, buddy.
    Weak. I let one guy go after he hit and run on my car(small ding, but still) and I couldn't get any insurance to pay for it because his insurance company couldn't get a hold of him. Now, I'll never let anyone go and will proceed to the full extent of the law. This guy will probably hit the streets and learn nothing but to be a better thief.

    Still burns me to know I could have sent this prick to jail for a day and I'm out $500 to fix my car.

  14. #14
    plays Mountains
    Ace/Homebrew's Avatar
    Join Date

    Mar 2011
    Location

    Philadelphia Area
    Posts

    2,257

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Quote Originally Posted by Krimson Viper View Post
    Still burns me to know I could have sent this prick to jail for a day and I'm out $500 to fix my car.
    It won't make you feel any better, but you could have caught him or reported him to the police and still be out $500 for your car. For as long as an auto insurance company cannot make contact with their policyholder, they will not honor your claim against them. And most of the time the police get annoyed if you call them out for minor dings just to have documentation.

    Would have been nice for the asshole to spend some time in jail for that though.

  15. #15
    get outta here, humanity.
    iamajellydonut's Avatar
    Join Date

    Jun 2009
    Location

    Butugychag
    Posts

    2,031

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ace/Homebrew View Post
    It won't make you feel any better, but you could have caught him or reported him to the police and still be out $500 for your car. For as long as an auto insurance company cannot make contact with their policyholder, they will not honor your claim against them. And most of the time the police get annoyed if you call them out for minor dings just to have documentation.
    This is basically how I was declared at fault and why I had an inflated premium for getting rear-ended.

  16. #16

    Re: Swift Hand of Magic Justice!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ace/Homebrew View Post
    Would have been nice for the asshole to spend some time in jail for that though.
    Exactly why I should have let him go to jail for a night instead of letting the police let him go. It's considered a hit and run. And there is a chance that his insurance company got a hold of him while in jail. Slim, but I should have taken it.

    And I could give a shit about how an officer feels about his job so long as he is doing their job.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)